Release agent for scented additives

ABSTRACT

A multifunctional vessel which includes a moisture control material containing a scented additive placed within the vessel. The moisture control material preferably comprises silica gel or bentonite clay into which a scented additive has been absorbed. The moisture control material containing the scented additive can be placed in a separate canister or sachet within the vessel. The moisture control material with scented additive regulates the relative humidity within the vessel while giving off the odor of the scented additive.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

One embodiment of the invention relates to multifunctional vessels, suchas pharmaceutical or neutraceutical vessels, containing a release agentfor a scented material, which may be placed within or secured within themultifunctional vessel. Another embodiment of the invention relates tovessels for holding commercial products that require the maintenance ofa relatively low humidity level within the vessel, and can be enhancedby the presence of a particular scent within the vessel. Anotherembodiment is a vessel for holding commercial products containing arelease agent for scenting which assists in maintaining a low moisturelevel within the vessel and also contains a method for determining whenthe moisture level within the vessel exceeds a predetermined level. Afurther embodiment is a packet containing a release agent for scentingplaced or secured in a room in a residential or commercial facility,which assists in maintaining a low moisture level within the room whileat the same time releasing a desirable scent into the room.

Some products which are packaged in conventional vessels, such asconventional glass or plastic bottles, have an unpleasant and/orunappetizing odor. An example is the odor produced by fish oil capsules.In current practice, the odor of these products may escape from thevessel, thereby creating an unpleasant environment. In other situationsthe products are enhanced when particular scents are present in thevessels.

The use of scented oils with selected plastic materials is known forcertain limited applications. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,553,296discloses a process for manufacturing a scented polyolefin that may haveutility as an artificial flower, in the cosmetic industry or for thepreparation of garbage bags. A method of providing scent to a productvessel by entrapping scented oil within a polymer matrix within thevessel, wherein the vessel is comprised of a material which isincompatible with the scented oil, is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.4,540,721.

In addition, there are products which require the maintenance ofcontrolled levels of relative humidity within vessels. These productsmay include pharmaceutical products, dental products and variousconsumer products. These products require the regulation of moisturewithin the vessel in which they are shipped.

In addition, many products exist which release scents into a room.

Further, many vessels for products contain materials that adsorbhumidity within the vessel, such as silica gel.

In addition, some products degrade when they are exposed to gases, suchas oxygen or ethylene, for extended periods of time. Reduced levels ofthose gases within the vessels for those products may be difficult tomaintain once the vessel has been opened. To address these problems agas absorbing material can be placed within the vessel. One particularlyuseful gas absorber is an oxygen absorber.

Notwithstanding the examples of the use of scented plastic materials,moisture absorbers, and oxygen absorbers, the concept of preparing amultifunctional vessel or packet containing a moisture control materialwhich also functions as a source of scent has not been disclosed.Further, incorporation of a scent imparting material as a component of amultifunctional vessel or packet for use within vessels that alsorequires the retention of a relatively low humidity has not beendisclosed. Further, the presence of a scent imparting material that alsocan regulate the level of moisture within a vessel or within a room andprovide a method to indicate when the level of moisture is too high hasalso not been disclosed. Such products show great utility for solvingmultiple problems that exist with various types of products placedwithin conventional vessels.

These and other objects are obtained by the composition, process for thepreparation of the composition and process of use of the composition.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment of the invention includes a multifunctional vesselcontaining a release agent for a scented material placed within themultifunctional vessel.

Another embodiment of the invention includes a multifunctional vesselcontaining a moisture control material containing a scented material,which is placed within the multifunctional vessel.

Another embodiment of the invention includes a multifunctional vesselcontaining a moisture control material containing a scented material,wherein the moisture control material containing a scented materialprovides an indication when the relative humidity level within thevessel exceeds a predetermined level.

Another embodiment of the invention includes a packet containing Amoisture control material containing a scented material, wherein thepacket can be used in commercial or residential applications.

Another embodiment of the invention includes a multifunctional vesselcontaining the moisture control mechanism containing a scented material,wherein the vessel also contains at least one gas absorber, such as anoxygen absorber.

Other embodiments of the invention include a method for production anduse of the multifunctional vessels described above.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, the invention comprises a multifunctional vesseluseful for holding a variety of products, such as pharmaceuticals,neutraceuticals, or other commercial products, or for use in aresidential or commercial room, which vessel contains a release agentfor a scented material, preferably a moisture control materialcontaining a scented material, wherein the moisture control materialcontaining the scented material is located within or is secured withinthe multifunctional vessel and wherein the moisture control materialcontaining a scented material is preferably contained in a canister,sachet, perforated container or container enclosed by a permeablemembrane placed within or secured within the vessel.

In one embodiment the multifunctional vessel comprises a conventionalvessel manufactured from conventional materials, such as plastic orglass. Placed within this vessel is the release agent containing thescented material, preferably a moisture control material containing ascented material.

In one preferred embodiment the release agent, preferably a moisturecontrol material containing a scented additive, provides a mechanism forcontrolling or minimizing the relative humidity in a closed environment,such as a vessel or container for commercial products, or within acommercial or residential room. The moisture control material containinga scented additive can be placed within any form of container, such as apermeable canister, sachet, packet or other plastic body which may besealed except for a port, a series of openings or a permeable coveringwhich permits the materials contained within that container to assist inthe regulation of relative humidity within the multifunctional vesseland also provides for scent to escape the container.

The moisture control material containing a scented additive can also beplaced within a room, either commercial or residential.

In one preferred embodiment the moisture control material containing thescented additive is contained within a canister. These canisters can beformed from any conventional plastic materials. In this embodiment themoisture control material containing a scented additive is placed withinthe canister to segregate the moisture control material from productscontained within the multifunctional vessel. Openings are provided inthe canister or a permeable membrane surrounds the canister to permitthe moisture control material to assist in the control of moisturewithin the multifunctional vessel and for release of the scent from thecanister.

The moisture control material, to which a scented additive is added,preferably comprises materials that absorb moisture, including but notlimited to bentonite clay, silica gel, montmorillonite clay, molecularsieves, and mixtures thereof.

In one preferred embodiment, the moisture control material comprisessilica gel and/or a bentonite clay. For example, silica gel is a porous,granular, chemically inert, amorphous form of silicon dioxide which iscapable of absorbing and desorbing water vapor in order to reachequilibrium with the surrounding environment. Silica gel has a long lifespan and continues to absorb or desorb moisture for an extended periodof time. The particular type of silica gel that is selected can bedetermined by a person skilled in the art reviewing the particulardesired environment of the vessel.

Prior to utilization of the silica gel or clay as the moisture controlmaterial, its level of saturation with humidity should be reduced toless than 5% of its maximum capacity, preferably, 1% or so of itsmaximum saturation capacity. Any procedure to produce silica gel or claywith the required level of saturation is within the embodiment of thisdisclosure.

The level of moisture within the vessel prior to introduction of themoisture control material should be less than 40% relative humidity andpreferably less than 20% relative humidity.

Once the level of saturation of the silica gel or clay is set at thedesired level, the silica gel or clay is treated with a concentratedsolution of the scented material. The scent imparting material of thescented additive can be chosen from a large variety of aromatic orscenting materials. The scent imparting materials may be oil-soluble, asoil-soluble scented substances generally are readily absorbed by thepores of the moisture control material, preferably silica gel or clay.Alternatively, a water soluble scented substance may be used, if readilyabsorbed by the silica gel or clay materials. The concentration of thescent imparting materials within the pores of the silica gel or clayshould be as high as possible. Further, the scented additives preferablyhave GRAS status, as recognized by the Flavoring Extract ManufactoryAssociation. Any perfume essence, flavor or aromatic material may beincorporated into the moisture control substance. Although not wantingto be limited, particularly suitable oils or hydrated scents can bechosen depending upon the designated use of the vessel by the consumerand the quantity of the scented additive that can be absorbed by themoisture control material, preferably silica gel or clay, such as alemon oil, scented oils from flowers such as lilac, honeysuckle, rose orcarnation, and other such oils or hydrated scents with GRAS status.

The quantity of the scenting material that can be used can be varieddepending upon the particular application and the level of adsorption bythe particular moisture control substance that is chosen. For example,when silica gel or clay is chosen, the quantity of the scenting materialcan be up to a maximum saturation of 40 wt % or so of the silica gel orclay material. In one preferred embodiment, the level of adsorption ofthe silica gel or clay is the maximum possible at ambient pressure andambient temperature.

Besides providing a source of scent, another purpose of the moisturecontrol material with the absorbed scented additive is to control therelative humidity within the vessel or room in which the moisturecontrol material is placed. The relative humidity is controlled by themoisture control material absorbing excess moisture from the vessel orroom when the moisture level exceeds the desired level inside the vesselor room.

In one embodiment, the atmosphere inside the multifunctional vessel isset at the desired humidity level at the time the release agent forscented additives is placed within the vessel, preferably 40% relativehumidity and more preferably 20% relative humidity, and the vessel issealed. As the contents within the vessel are used, the relativehumidity level may increase depending on many factors, including howmany times the vessel is opened and closed, the amount of moisture thatleaks through the lid of the vessel, the permeability of the material ofthe vessel and the relative humidity level outside of the vessel.

The relative humidity within the vessel is controlled by the moisturecontrol material and the relative humidity of the outside environment.The manufacturer of the vessel can attempt to control the level of therelative humidity within the vessel by choice of the particular moisturecontrol material and its moisture adsorption capability.

In order for the moisture control material to maintain the relativehumidity at the desired level within the vessel, it is necessary thatthe moisture control material be introduced into the vessel at a lowenough relative humidity to assist in maintaining the level of relativehumidity within the vessel. In addition, it is necessary that there be asufficient quantity of the moisture control material present within thevessel to maintain the desired relative humidity.

In a preferred embodiment the release agent for scented additivescomprises the moisture control material which has been saturated with ascented material. In a particularly preferred embodiment the moisturecontrol material that has been saturated with the scented materialcomprises a silica gel and/or a clay which has been saturated with thescented additive, preferably a scent imparting material, as earlierdescribed.

It has been surprisingly discovered that when silica gel and/or clays,which have been saturated with a scented additive, are placed within avessel, the relative humidity within that vessel can be regulatedbecause of the capacity of the silica gel or clay to adsorb moisturepreferentially to the scented additive that has previously been absorbedby the silica gel. While not wanting to be bound by a particular theory,it is believed that moisture control materials, preferably silica gel orclay, preferentially desorbs the scented additive, such as the scentimparting materials described herein, while preferentially replacingthat scent imparting material with moisture. The silica gel or clay withscented additive thus desorbs the scented additive and an aroma iscreated which is strong enough to be sensed by the consumer. It has beensurprisingly discovered that the silica gel or clay with the scentedadditive continues to desorb the scented additive until the scentedadditive has been substantially replaced or completely replaced withmoisture. At this point the aroma that is given off by the silica gel orclay is reduced or completely eliminated. By this feature, the consumercan determine that the silica gel or clay has absorbed moisture to itsmaximum capacity. At this time, the consumer can replace the silica gelor clay as it has become hydrated to a level that is no longer useful.

In use, the saturation of the moisture control material, preferablysilica gel or clay, with water is established at a low level, preferably1% or so saturation. The unsaturated or only minimally saturatedmoisture control material, preferably silica gel or clay, is thensaturated with the chosen scented additive. The level of saturation ofthe scented additive can be adjusted, but preferably the moisturecontrol material is fully saturated with the scented additive. Whensilica gel or a clay is used, the level of saturation preferablyapproaches 40% or so, by weight of the silica gel or clay. The moisturecontrol material, which is saturated with the scented additive, is thenplaced within a container, such as a canister, and is then placed withinthe multifunctional vessel. Alternatively, the scented additive placedwithin a container is placed within a room in a residential orcommercial facility. By the presence of this moisture control materialwith scented additive within the vessel or a room, multiplefunctionalities are achieved including regulation of the relativehumidity within the vessel or room and the presence of a desired scent.In addition, as long as the moisture control material with scentedadditive continues to give off a scent, it still has not become fullyhydrated. Thus, the relative humidity within the vessel can be regulatedmerely by the presence or absence of a scent within the environment inwhich it is used. However, as the level of scent is reduced oreliminated, this indicates that the moisture control material,preferably silica gel or a clay, has become saturated with moisture andhas given off all or substantially all of the scented additive that wasplaced therein. This results in the necessity for replacement of themoisture control material.

Alternatively, the moisture control material with scented additive maybe secured within a packet for use within a commercial or residentialroom.

Further, if desired, other functionalities can be added to the vesselincluding absorption of various gases, such as oxygen. This can beaccomplished by placement of an appropriate oxygen absorber within thevessel.

All of these improvements to the multifunctional vessel assist in thepreservation and maintenance of the products present in the vessel orroom.

It will be apparent from the forgoing that while particular forms of theinvention have been illustrated various modifications can be madewithout departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, theinvention is not intended to be limited by the specification of theapplication.

1. A multifunctional vessel useful for holding products, such aspharmaceuticals or neutraceuticals or for use in a residential orcommercial room, comprising a vessel for holding said products, and amaterial for controlling the level of moisture within the vessel, placedwithin the vessel, wherein said material contains a scented material;wherein the moisture control material is saturated with a concentratedsolution of the scented material, and wherein the moisture controlmaterial desorbs scented material as it absorbs moisture from theenvironment inside the multifunctional vessel.
 2. The multifunctionalvessel of claim 1 wherein the moisture control material is placed withina container selected from the group consisting of a canister, a sachetand a packet, preferably a canister with openings therein or containinga permeable membrane.
 3. The multifunctional vessel of claim 1 whereinthe moisture control material is selected from the group consisting ofbentonite clay, silica gel, montmorillonite clay, molecular sieve, andmixtures thereof, preferably silica gel or bentonite clay.
 4. Themultifunctional vessel of claim 1 wherein the level of saturation withmoisture of the moisture control material when placed within themultifunctional vessel is less than 5%, preferably less than 1%.
 5. Themultifunctional vessel of claim 1 wherein the level of moisture withinthe vessel prior to introduction of the moisture control material isless than 40% relative humidity, preferably less than 20% relativehumidity.
 6. (canceled)
 7. The multifunctional vessel of claim 1 whereinthe scented material comprises an oil or water soluble scentedsubstance.
 8. The multifunctional vessel of claim 1 wherein theconcentration of scented material within the moisture control materialis up to 40% by weight of the weight of the moisture control materialprior to addition of the scented material.
 9. (canceled)
 10. Themultifunctional vessel of claim 1 further comprising an oxygen absorber.